Systems and methods for providing an ergonomic car seat and handle

ABSTRACT

An infant car seat configured to allow a substantial amount of the car seat&#39;s weight to rest on a user&#39;s arm is described herein. The car seat generally has an ergonomic handle and a seat shell. The handle includes a handgrip that has a first handle arm and a second handle arm that both extend from the handgrip. In some instances, a first end of the first handle arm and a second end of the second handle arm are rotatably connected to the seat shell. Additionally, while the first handle arm typically comprises a first bowed portion that opens in a first direction and a second bowed portion that opens in a second direction, the second handle arm comprises a third bowed portion that opens in the first direction. In some cases, the car seat also comprises a handhold disposed on a lateral side of the seat shell.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/252,921, entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AN ERGONOMIC CARSEAT AND HANDLE,” filed Oct. 4, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to infant car seats. More specifically,the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing anergonomic car seat and handle, and methods for facilitating the carryingof a car seat in a variety of manners.

2. Background and Related Art

Infant car seats are used to conveniently and safely seat and transportbabies and small children. Car seats generally have a molded plasticshell that includes a seating surface for supporting an infant and aU-shaped handle that extends transversely across the seat shell.Generally, this handle is rotatably connected to the sides of the seatshell in a manner that allows the handle to be selectively moved betweena transport position (in which the handle is selectively locked abovethe seat) and a storage position (in which the handle is selectivelylocked behind the seat).

To use some conventional car seats, a user places an infant in the carseat and then fastens the infant in the seat by buckling one or moresafety belts. With the infant buckled in place, the user grabs a centralportion of the handle and then lifts the car seat.

While conventional car seat handles have been used to carry infants incar seats, shortcomings exist. For example, when a user holds the carseat by grabbing a central portion of the handle, the user's arm isrequired to be held away from the user's body, which can be awkward andcan cause the user's arm, wrist, hand, and/or other body parts canquickly tire. Additionally, the car seat can bang against the user'sleg, causing discomfort for both the user and the infant in the seat.

Thus, while techniques currently exist that are used to carry car seats,challenges still exist. Accordingly, it would be an improvement in theart to augment or even replace current techniques with other techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to infant car seats. More specifically,the present invention relates to systems and methods for providing anergonomic car seat and handle, and methods for facilitating the carryingof a car seat in a variety of manners.

Implementation of the present invention takes place in association withan ergonomic car seat handle that is configured to allow a substantialamount of the car seat's weight to rest on a portion of the user's arm,such as the user's forearm, and/or to be sustained with a handhold.

The ergonomic handle generally includes a first handle arm and a secondhandle arm that both extend from a handgrip to a corresponding lateralside of the car seat. In some instances, a first end of the first handlearm and a second end of the second handle arm are rotatably connected toa shell of the car seat.

In some implementations, the handle comprises a plurality of bowedportions that allow the user to insert his or her arm in between aninner surface of the handle and a lateral side of the car seat. In thismanner, the handle allows the user to grab a handhold on the side of thecar seat and then to carry the car seat so that the car seat's weightrests on the user's hand that is holding the handhold and on a portionof the users' arm that is in contact with the ergonomic handle.

With respect to the bowed portions, in some implementations, the firsthandle arm comprises a first bowed portion that opens in a firstdirection and a second bowed portion that opens in a second direction.In such implementations, the second handle arm can also comprise a thirdbowed portion that opens in the first direction. Furthermore, in someimplementations, the first handle arm optionally comprises a fourthbowed portion that is located on a lateral side of the arm and thatopens towards a longitudinal axis of the seat. Similarly, in someimplementations, the second handle arm optionally comprises a fifthbowed portion that is disposed on a lateral side of the arm and thatopens towards a longitudinal axis of the seat.

While the methods and processes of the present invention have proven tobe particularly useful in the area of car seats, those skilled in theart can appreciate that the methods and processes can be used in avariety of different applications and in a variety of different areas ofmanufacture to yield an ergonomic handle for carrying any suitable item,such as a basket, a bucket, or another suitable object in which theergonomic handle extends transversely across a portion of the object.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beset forth or will become more fully apparent in the description thatfollows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, thefeatures and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practiceof the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above recited and other featuresand advantages of the present invention are obtained, a more particulardescription of the invention will be rendered by reference to specificembodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings.Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of thepresent invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limitingthe scope of the invention, the present invention will be described andexplained with additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective side view of a representativeembodiment of a car seat with an ergonomic handle;

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the representative embodiment of FIG.1;

FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate representative embodiments of handholds;

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a representative embodiment ofa car seat with an ergonomic handle, wherein a user's right arm isinserted between an inner surface of the ergonomic handle and a firstlateral side of the car seat;

FIG. 4B illustrates a top view of a representative embodiment of the carseat comprising the ergonomic handle, wherein the handle comprises abowed portion on each lateral side of the handle;

FIG. 5A illustrates a top view of a user holding a representativeembodiment of the car seat, wherein the user's right arm is insertedbetween the inner surface of the ergonomic handle and the first lateralside of the car seat;

FIG. 5B illustrates a top view of a user holding a representativeembodiment of the car seat having the handle shown in FIG. 4B, whereinthe user's right arm is inserted between the inner surface of theergonomic handle and the first lateral side of the car seat;

FIG. 6A illustrates a top view of the user holding a representativeembodiment of the car seat, wherein the user's left arm is insertedbetween the inner surface of the ergonomic handle and a second lateralside of the car seat;

FIG. 6B illustrates a top view of the user holding a representativeembodiment of the car seat having the handle shown in FIG. 4B, whereinthe user's left arm is inserted between the inner surface of theergonomic handle and a second lateral side of the car seat;

FIG. 7A illustrates a top view of a portion of a representativeembodiment of the ergonomic handle shown in FIG. 5A; and

FIG. 7B illustrates a top view of a portion of a representativeembodiment of the ergonomic handle shown in FIG. 5B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to infant car seats. In particular, thepresent invention relates to systems and methods for providing a carseat with a handle that allows a substantial portion of the car seat'sweight to rest on a portion of the user's arm (e.g., the user's forearm)when the user is carrying the car seat. Indeed, in some non-limitingembodiments, the described car seat allows the user to carry the carseat while allowing the user's arm to be in a natural and substantiallystrain-free position in which the user's arm hangs near the side of theuser's body.

While the described car seat can comprise any suitable component, FIG. 1illustrates a non-limiting embodiment in which the car seat 10 comprisesa seat shell 15, an ergonomic handle 20, and a handhold 25. To provide abetter understanding of the described car seat, each of theaforementioned components is described below in more detail.

With respect to the seat shell 15, the seat shell can comprise virtuallyany suitable characteristic that allows it to perform its intendedpurposes, which include, but are not limited to, safely securing aninfant in a car and acting as a carrier to facilitate infant transport.By way of non-limiting illustration, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in whichthe seat shell 15 comprises a head end 30, a foot end 35, a pair of sidewalls 40, a first external lateral side 45, a second external lateralside 50 (not shown), cushioning material 55 to comfortably support theinfant, and a safety belt system 60 to secure the infant within the carseat.

With respect to the ergonomic handle 20, the ergonomic handle cancomprise any suitable characteristic that allows the user to insert anarm between an inner surface 65 of the handle and a lateral side (e.g.,the first 45 or second 50 lateral sides) of the seat shell so that theuser's arm is allowed to hang close to the user's body when the usercarries the car seat. By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 1 shows anembodiment in which the ergonomic handle 15 comprises a handgrip 70having a first handle arm 75 and a second handle arm 80 that extend fromthe handgrip 70 and that allow the ergonomic handle 20 to extendtransversely across the seat shell 15. To better describe the ergonomichandle, its various components are described below in more detail.

The handgrip 70 can comprise any suitable characteristic that allows theuser to grab it in order to hold the car seat 10. For instance, thehandgrip can have any suitable shape, including, without limitation, acylindrical shape, a tubular shape, a shape that is ergonomicallycontoured to cradle the user's fingers, and/or any other suitable shape.Additionally, the handgrip can extend in any suitable direction,including, but not limited to, running substantially parallel orperpendicular to a longitudinal axis A of the car seat. In this regard,FIG. 2 shows a non-limiting embodiment in which the length of thehandgrip 70 runs substantially parallel to the car seat's longitudinalaxis A.

With respect to the first handle arm 75, the first handle arm cancomprise any suitable characteristic that allows it to connect thehandgrip 70 to the first lateral side 45 of the car seat 10 in a mannerthat allows the user to carry the car seat by inserting the user's rightarm between the inner surface 65 of the ergonomic handle 20 and the carseat's first lateral side 45. By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 2shows an embodiment in which the first handle arm 75 comprises a firstend 85 that pivotally attaches to the car seat's first lateral side 45.In another non-limiting example, FIG. 2 shows the first handle arm 75comprises a first bowed portion 90. In still another non-limitingembodiment, FIG. 2 shows the first handle arm 75 optionally comprises asecond bowed portion 95.

Where the first handle arm 75 comprises the first bowed portion 90, thefirst bowed portion can serve any suitable purpose. By way ofnon-limiting example, FIG. 2 shows the first bowed portion 90 providesthe ergonomic handle 20 with an arm contact surface 100. As used herein,the term arm contact surface can refer to a portion of handle 20 that isconfigured to transverse and rest against a width of the user's arm whenthe user's arm is inserted between the handle's inner surface and alateral side of the car when the user is grabbing the handhold(discussed below). In another non-limiting example, FIG. 2 shows thefirst bowed portion 90 defines a first arm indentation 105 that is sizedand shaped to receive the user's right arm when the user's right arm isinserted between the inner surface 65 of the ergonomic handle 20 and thefirst lateral side 45 of the car seat.

While the first bowed portion 90 can open in any suitable direction,FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which the first bowed portion 90opens in a first direction (e.g., towards the car seat's foot end 35when the handle 20 is in the transport position). Said differently, insome non-limiting embodiments in which the first bowed portion 90comprises a convex surface 110 and a concave surface 115, the concavesurface 115 opens in the first direction (e.g., towards the car seat'sfoot end 35 when the handle 20 is in the transport position).

While the first bowed portion 90 can extend directly from the handgrip70, FIG. 2 shows that, in at least one non-limiting embodiment, thesecond bowed portion 95 extends between the handgrip 70 and the firstbowed portion 90. In such embodiments, the second bowed portion can haveany suitable characteristic that allows it to provide a transitionbetween the handgrip and the first bowed portion. Indeed, in onenon-limiting example, where the first bowed portion 90 opens in a firstdirection (e.g., towards the car seat's foot end 35 when the handle 20is in the transport position), the second bowed portion 95 opens in asecond direction that is substantially opposite to the first direction(e.g., towards the car seat's head end 30 when the handle 20 is in thetransport position). In other words, where the second bowed portion 95comprises a convex surface 120 and a concave surface 125, the concavesurface opens in the second direction (e.g., towards the car seat's headend 30 when the handle 20 is in the transport position).

With respect to the second handle arm 85, the second handle arm cancomprise any suitable characteristic allows it to connect the handgrip70 to the second lateral side 50 of the car seat 10 in a manner thatallows the user to carry the car seat by inserting the user's left armbetween the inner surface 65 of the ergonomic handle 20 and the carseat's second lateral side 50. In one non-limiting example, FIG. 2 showsthe second handle arm 80 comprises a third bowed portion 130 thatextends from the handgrip 70 towards a second end 135 of the secondhandle arm 80, wherein the second end is pivotally attached to the carseat's second lateral side 50.

In another non-limiting example, FIG. 2 shows the third bowed portion130 provides the second handle arm 80 with an arm contact surface 140that is configured to transverse and rest against a width of the user'sarm when the user's arm is inserted between the handle's inner surface65 and the second lateral side 50 of the car seat when the user isgrabbing the handhold 25 disposed on that side of the car seat.

In still another non-limiting example, FIG. 2 shows the third bowedportion 130 defines a second arm indentation 145 that is sized andshaped to receive the user's left arm when the user's arm is insertedbetween the inner surface 65 of the ergonomic handle 20 and the secondlateral side 50 of the car seat 10.

Where the second handle arm 80 comprises the third bowed portion 130,the third bowed portion can comprise any suitable characteristic thatallows it to fulfill its intended purposes. By way of non-limitingexample, where the first bowed portion 90 opens in a first direction(e.g., towards the car seat's foot end 35 when the handle 20 is in thetransport position), FIG. 2 shows the third bowed portion 130 can openin substantially the same direction.

Where the ergonomic handle 20 comprises a first 90, second 95, and/orthird 130 bowed portions, each bowed portion can be any suitable sizethat allows the bowed portions to function as intended. By way ofnon-limiting illustration, FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the firstbowed portion 90 is larger (e.g., is wider) than the second bowedportion 95. FIG. 2 further shows that the third bowed portion 130 islarger than the second bowed portion 95.

The first 90, second 95, and/or third 130 bowed portions can have anysuitable shape that allows them to function as intended. Some examplesof suitable shapes include, but are not limited to, a shape that isgenerally U-shaped, rounded, polygonal with any suitable number ofedges, irregular, and/or any other suitable shape. By way ofnon-limiting example, FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which the first 90,second 95, and third 130 bowed portions are each substantially U-shaped.

In addition to the aforementioned components, the ergonomic handle maycomprise any other suitable component or characteristic. Indeed, in oneexample, FIGS. 1 and 2 show that in some embodiments, the ergonomichandle 20 further defines a first forearm indentation 150 and/or asecond forearm indentation 155. In this example, the first and secondforearm indentations can serve any suitable purpose, including withoutlimitation, providing a space through which the user can grab thehandhold 25. While the first and/or second forearm indentations can openin any suitable direction, FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment in which thefirst 150 and the second 155 forearm indentations open in the seconddirection (e.g., towards the car seat's head end 30 when the handle isin the transport position).

In another non-limiting example, the handle 20 optionally comprises oneor more bowed portions that are disposed laterally on the first 75and/or second 80 handle arms. By way of non-limiting illustration, FIGS.4B, 5B, 6B, and 7B illustrate some representative embodiments in whichthe first handle arm 75 comprises a fourth bowed portion 66 that isdisposed laterally on the handle arm, towards the handle arm's first end85. Additionally, FIGS. 4B, 5B, 6B, and 7B further show that, in someembodiments, the second handle arm 80 optionally comprises a fifth bowedportion 68 that is disposed laterally on the arm, towards the second end135 of the second handle arm 80. In such embodiments, the fourth and/orfifth bowed portions can serve any suitable function, including,providing a space that allows the user's arm to comfortably extendbetween the handle's inner surface (e.g., 65) and one of the car seat'slateral sides (e.g., the first lateral side 45 or the second lateralside 50) to grab the handhold 25.

Where the handle 20 comprises a forth 66 and/or fifth 68 bowed portion,the fourth and/or fifth bowed portions can have any suitablecharacteristics. In one example, the fourth and/or fifth bowed portionscan open in any suitable direction, including, without limitation,towards the car seat's longitudinal axis A. Furthermore, the fourthand/or fifth bowed portions can be any suitable size that allows them tofunction as intended.

Referring now to the handhold 25, the car seat 10 can comprise anysuitable handhold that allows the user to carry the car seat byinserting his or her arm between the inner surface 65 of the ergonomichandle 20 and one of the car seat's lateral sides, and by grabbing thehandhold disposed on that lateral side. Indeed, in one non-limitingexample, the handhold can comprise any suitable shape that allows theuser to grab it to carry the car seat. By way of illustration, FIGS. 3Athrough 3E illustrate different non-limiting embodiments of suitablehandholds. Specifically, FIG. 3A shows that in one embodiment, thehandhold 25 comprises a knob 156. FIG. 3B shows that in anotherembodiment, the handhold 25 comprises a projection 158 that defines ahole 160 that is sized and shaped to receive the user's fingers. FIG. 3Cshows that in still another embodiment, the handhold 25 comprises anopening 165 that is defined in a lateral side of the car seat and thatis sized and shaped to receive the user's fingers when the palm of theuser's hand (not shown) faces away from the user. FIG. 3D illustratesanother non-limiting embodiment in which the handhold 25 comprises aprotrusion 170 that extends from a lateral side 175 of the first end 85(and/or the second end 135, not shown) of the ergonomic handle 20.Moreover, FIG. 3E illustrates another non-limiting embodiment in whichthe handhold 25 comprises a grip 180 that is disposed at a perimeter ofthe first end 85 (and/or the second end 135, not shown) of the ergonomichandle 20.

Where the car seat 10 comprises one or more handholds, the handholds canbe disposed in any suitable location. By way of non-limiting example,the handhold can be disposed between the car seat's head end 30 and thehandle's first 75 and/or second 135 end, between the car seat's foot end35 and the handle's first 75 and/or second 135 end, or on the handle'sfirst and/or second ends. In one example, FIG. 4 shows a non-limitingembodiment in which the handhold 25 is disposed between the car seat'shead end 30 and the handle's first end 85. In such an embodiment, FIGS.4 through 6 show the user 195 can carry the car seat 10 by inserting theuser's arm (the user's right arm 200 in FIGS. 4 and 5 or the user's leftarm 205 in FIG. 6) between the handle's inner surface 65 (FIG. 4) andone of the car seat's lateral sides (the first lateral side 45 in FIGS.4 and 5 or the second lateral side 50 in FIG. 6) to grab the handhold25.

It should be noted that FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate non-limitingembodiments in which the handle's first 90 and the third 130 bowedportions open towards the car seat's foot end 35 so that when the usercarries the car seat 10 by the handhold 25, the infant (not shown) facesbackward (or in a direction opposite to the direction in which the userfaces). In another non-limiting embodiment (not illustrated), however,the ergonomic handle 20 is connected to the car seat shell 15 so thatthe handle's first end 85 pivotally attaches to the car seat's secondlateral side 50 and so that the handle's second end 135 pivotallyattaches to the car seat's first lateral side 45. In such an embodiment,when the handle is in the transport position, the first 90 and third 130bowed portions open towards the seat's head end 30 and the second bowedportion 95 (if included) opens towards the seat's foot end 35. In somesuch embodiments, the handhold 25 is disposed between the car seat'sfoot end 35 and the handle's first 85 and/or second 135 ends.Accordingly, in such embodiments, when the user carries the car seat bythe handle, the infant faces in the same direction as the user.

In addition to the aforementioned components, the car seat can compriseany other suitable component or characteristic. In one non-limitingexample, the arm contact surfaces (100 and 140) comprise a paddingmaterial that acts to cushion the handle against the user's arm as theuser carries the car seat by the handhold 25.

In another non-limiting example, the seat shell 15 comprises a mechanismfor securing the car seat within a car, a stroller, a shopping cart, abase console that is capable of connecting the car seat to anotherobject (such as a seat belt in a car), or any other suitable object. Inthis example, the securing mechanism can comprise any suitable componentthat allows the car seat to be selectively secured to and released froman object (e.g., a car, a shopping cart, etc.) Indeed, FIG. 4 shows anon-limiting embodiment in which the seat shell 15 comprises a pluralityof grooves 210 that are sized and shaped to receive a seatbelt that istransversely strapped across the car seat 10.

In still another non-limiting example, the first 45 and second 50lateral sides of the car seat 10 optionally comprise padding (not shown)that is configured to cushion the car seat against the user's side whenthe user carries the car seat by the handhold.

The ergonomic handle 20 can be made in any suitable manner, including,without limitation, through molding, extrusion, cutting, bonding,bending, or any other process that is capable of forming the handle.Additionally, while in some embodiments the handle 20 and handholds 25are manufactured and assembled so as to be connected to a seat shell 15,in other embodiments, the ergonomic handle and/or the handholds are soldseparate from a car seat shell. Accordingly, the described ergonomichandle and/or handholds can be added to a conventional car seat so thatthe car seat can be carried in the manners described herein.

The described systems and apparatus offer several beneficialcharacteristics. In one non-limiting example, the ergonomic handle 20allows the user to carry the car seat 10 by the handgrip 70, thehandhold 25 on the car seat's first lateral side 45, and/or the carseat's second lateral side 50.

In another non-limiting example, when the user carries the car seat byone of the handholds, the handle places a substantial portion of the carseat's weight on the user's arm (e.g., the user's forearm). In thismanner, the ergonomic handle can slow the rate at which the user's handand wrist tire from holding the car seat.

In still another non-limiting example, when the user carries the carseat by the handgrip 70, the user is able to carry the car seat close tothe user's body to reduce fatigue.

In still another embodiment, when the user carries the car seat by oneof the handholds, the user is able to carry the car seat up high on theuser's body so that the car seat does not bang against the user's legsas the user walks with the car seat.

Thus, as discussed herein, the embodiments of the present inventionembrace systems and methods for providing an ergonomic car seat andhandle, and methods for facilitating the carrying of a car seat in avariety of manners.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedexamples and embodiments are all to be considered in all respects onlyas illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is,therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes that come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An infant car seat, comprising: a seat shell ofthe infant car seat; a handle; and a handhold disposed at a lateralportion of the infant car seat, wherein a first end and a second end ofthe handle respectively attach to a first lateral side and a secondlateral side of the infant car seat, wherein a first lateral edge of theinfant car seat defines a first recess that extends into a portion ofthe infant car seat towards, at least in part, a central axis of theseat shell, wherein the first recess corresponds in position to thehandhold, such that at least one of: (i) a user's arm and (ii) a user'shand is able to extend between the handle and the first recess to holdthe handhold, wherein the handle comprises a first bowed portion thatbows out laterally from flanking portions of the handle on each side ofthe first bowed portion, and wherein the first bowed portion is disposedat a base of the handle, next to a first pivot joint that connects thefirst end of the handle to the first lateral side of the infant carseat.
 2. The car seat of claim 1, wherein the handhold is disposed onthe handle.
 3. The car seat of claim 1, wherein the handhold comprises aprotrusion that extends from a portion of the infant car seat.
 4. Thecar seat of claim 1, wherein the seat shell comprises a head end and afoot end, wherein the first end of the handle rotatably attaches to thefirst lateral side via a first pivot joint, and wherein the handhold isdisposed between the first pivot joint and the head end of the seatshell.
 5. The car seat of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the firstbowed portion comprises a layer of a padding material.
 6. An infant carseat, comprising: a seat shell comprising a head end and a foot end; ahandle; and a first handhold disposed at a first lateral portion of theinfant car seat, wherein a first end of the handle is rotatablyconnected to the seat shell at a first pivot joint, wherein a second endof the handle is rotatably connected to the seat shell at a second pivotjoint, wherein a first lateral portion of the handle comprises a firstbowed portion that bows out laterally away from the first pivot joint,wherein the first bowed portion is disposed at a first base of thehandle, next to the first pivot joint, wherein the first bowed portiondefines a first recess, wherein a first lateral edge of the infant carseat comprises a second recess that extends into a portion of the firstlateral edge, and wherein the second recess corresponds in position tothe first handhold such that at least one of: (i) a user's arm and (ii)a user's hand is able to extend between the first recess of the firstbowed portion and the second recess of the first lateral edge of theinfant car seat to hold the first handhold.
 7. The car seat of claim 6,wherein the first handhold is disposed on the handle.
 8. The car seat ofclaim 6, wherein the first handhold comprises a protrusion that extendsfrom a portion of the infant car seat.
 9. The car seat of claim 6,wherein the first handhold is disposed between the first pivot joint andthe head end of the seat shell.
 10. The car seat of claim 6, wherein aninner surface of the first bowed portion comprises a layer of a paddingmaterial.
 11. The car seat of claim 8, wherein the first handhold isdisposed between the first pivot joint and the head end of the seatshell, and wherein an inner surface of the first bowed portion comprisesa layer of a padding material.
 12. The car seat of claim 6, furthercomprising a second handhold disposed at a second lateral portion of theinfant car seat, wherein a second lateral portion of the handlecomprises a second bowed portion that bows out laterally away from thesecond pivot joint, wherein the second bowed portion is disposed at asecond base of the handle, next to the second pivot joint, wherein thesecond bowed portion defines a third recess, wherein a second lateraledge of the infant car seat comprises a fourth recess that extends intoa portion of the second lateral edge, and wherein the fourth recesscorresponds in position to the second handhold such that at least oneof: (i) the user's arm and (ii) the user's hand is able to extendbetween the third recess of the second bowed portion and the fourthrecess of the seat shell to hold the second handhold.
 13. The car seatof claim 12, wherein the first handhold is disposed between the firstpivot joint and the head end of the seat shell, and wherein the secondhandhold is disposed between the second pivot joint and the head end ofthe seat shell.
 14. The car seat of claim 13, wherein an inner surfaceof the first bowed portion comprises a first layer of padding material,and wherein an inner surface of the second bowed portion comprises asecond layer of padding material.
 15. The car seat of claim 7, whereinthe first handhold is disposed on a lateral side of the handle.
 16. Thecar seat of claim 6, wherein a portion of the first handhold extendsfrom the infant car seat at an angle that is substantially perpendicularto a longitudinal axis of the infant car seat.
 17. A method for carryingan infant car seat, the method comprising: obtaining an infant car seat,comprising: a seat shell of the infant car seat; a handle; and ahandhold disposed at a lateral portion of the infant car seat, wherein afirst end and a second end of the handle respectively attach to a firstlateral side and a second lateral side of the infant car seat, wherein afirst lateral edge of the infant car seat defines a first recess thatextends into a portion of the infant car seat towards, at least in part,a central axis of the seat shell, and wherein the first recesscorresponds in position to the handhold, such that at least one of: (i)a user's arm and (ii) a user's hand is able to extend between the handleand the first recess to hold the handhold; and carrying the infant carseat by placing the at least one of: (i) the user's arm and (ii) theuser's hand between the handle and the first recess to hold the handholdand to carry the infant car seat.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising facing a palm of the user's hand away from the user while theuser holds the handhold.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein thehandhold comprises a protrusion that extends away from a portion of theinfant car seat.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the handhold isdisposed on a portion of the handle.